Former Cambridge City and Histon midfielder Erkan Okay has been appointed assistant manager at Ryman League, Division One North side Soham Town Ranger.

The UEFA B coach was named as No 2 to Robbie Mason, who will start his first full season at Julius Martin Lane after taking over from Robbie Nightingale, who left for Cambridge City along with assistant Dave Theobold in December.

Okay left AFC Sudbury following their relegation from the Ryman League, Premier Division.

The 32-year-old is registered to play, although it is unlikely he would feature in 2017 as he is still awaiting an operation after sustaining a knee injury that cut his Sudbury career to just five appearances after arriving from Cambridge City.

Lloyd Groves, who stepped up to become Mason’s assistant last season, has left the Greens to concentrate on his playing career and thanked the club for giving him the opportunity to manage.

He said: “I want to take the opportunity in thanking the club for giving me the chance to have such a major involvement in what we achieved last year.

“I am standing down as assistant manager as I don’t have the time to commit to the role.

“For me, I want to concentrate on playing as at 26 I have my coaching days ahead of me.”

Meanwhile, Soham striker Sam Mulready has confirmed that he has left the club.

Mulready was in fine form at the end of last season, scoring nine goals in as many appearances, to secure the Greens place in the Ryman League, Division One North.

And despite manager Robbie Mason’s desire to keep the player at the club, the forward, who joined Rangers from St Neots in January, has decided his future lies elsewhere and thanked the club and its fans in a series of tweets.

He said: “Unfortunately I will not be staying at @SohamTownRanger for next season.

“I’d like to thank everybody at the club for welcoming me in.

“The staff, fans and players were superb, I hope I repaid them with the goals I scored to help with the great escape!

“I wish them all the best for next season. Special thanks to @robmason666 (manager Mason) and @LloydGroves1 (former assistant manager Lloyd Groves) – two top blokes in football and I know they will be successful.”